Katt Williams claims the reason he pimp-slapped a Target employee in the face last month is because the guy called him the n-word ... and TMZ has video of Katt's explanation.

Katt was performing last night at the Comedy Store in Hollywood when he described what went down immediately before the November 25th attack in Sacramento -- telling the audience, "This is what the dude at Target said ... 'Your assistant is already suing you, you p**sy ass n***er."

The jab is a reference to this lawsuit -- in which Katt's former assistant is suing him for $5 million, claiming the comic punched her.

Katt said he flipped when he heard the slur and asked the employee, "Did you just say the n-word in front of Katt Williams?" -- to which the employee answered, "You say it all the time." 

Katt says he shot back, "Say it again and see what happens" -- and that's when he knocked the guy upside the head.

Katt then compared his racism plight to that of Dave Chappelle, explaining, "That's the same sh*t that drove [Chappelle] out of the f***ing business."

Katt seems to be alluding to Chappelle's claim that he quit his Comedy Central show and went into seclusion over an argument with producers about a sketch that he believed was racist.

As we reported, the Target employee -- a guy named Forrest Liebenberg -- was fired from his job shortly after the incident. Target wouldn't explain why. Multiple calls to Liebenberg weren't returned.

11:22 AM PT -- A Target spokesperson confirms Forrest has been fired from the store ... but explains, "His departure was unrelated to the video footage that has appeared online."

The rep adds, "Out of respect for the privacy of this individual, we cannot discuss the reasons for his departure."


The Target employee who was PIMP SLAPPED in the face by Katt Williams says he's been FIRED from his job ...even though HE was the one who was attacked.

TMZ broke the story ... Forrest Liebenberg was having a calm conversation with the comic in the Northern California store when Katt slapped him in the face for no apparent reason.  Liebenberg didn't strike back ... instead he pulled out his phone and called for help.

After the incident, Forrest told CBS13 he'd been terminated from his job with no explanation -- saying, “They weren’t very clear, but it is obvious to me that it was based on this incident.”

He added, "Maybe I was a little uninformed about how seriously the situation was with Target, but obviously it is pretty serious."

Forrest says he doesn't know if Target believes he's the person who leaked the security footage to TMZ. He also claims he is NOT the leaker.

We reached out to Target for comment -- so far, radio silence.

What did the 5 fingers say to the face? Ask the guy who got PIMP SLAPPED by Katt Williams.

Katt wasn't done after leading cops on a crazy three-wheeled chase through Sacramento on Sunday -- because moments later, he hit up a Target ... where he belted an employee IN THE FACE ... and TMZ has footage of the face-to-hand contact.

There's no audio, so we can't tell what the argument is about -- but by the looks of the employee's body language before the wallop (placing his hand on his chest) the guy wasn't looking for a fight.

Then out of nowhere Katt winds up and slaps him in the face -- at which point the employee pulls out his phone and, according to an eye witness, he calls police.

Video of the aftermath surfaced on the Internet this week, showing Katt making his getaway in an electric cart ... before police arrive. We hate to say it, but it's hilarious.



According to sources at the store, Katt then ditched the electric cart and got back on his three-wheeled motorcycle. He was not arrested.

We spoke to a rep for the Yolo County DA's office, who tells TMZ, the case is currently under review ... and charges have not yet been filed against the comedian.

So far, no word from Target or Katt's people.